The Oregonian editorial board asked readers to weigh in Tuesday on a May ballot measure that would create an independent district for Portland’s sewer and water utilities. The utilities are now operated by the city of Portland with the oversight of a city commissioner, currently Nick Fish.

A Multnomah County circuit judge ruled Monday that dedicated ratepayer funds were used inappropriately for the Portland Loo and for “voter owned elections,” echoing a recent report by a City Club of Portland panel, which determined that “ratepayers are rightly concerned about how their utility dollars are being spent.” The problem is, as the city club panel recognized, that funds dedicated for sewer and water service are not sufficiently shielded from misuse. If nothing else, establishing an independent utility district would place the money beyond the reach of Portland’s commissioners.

We haven’t yet endorsed or opposed the utility measure, and the proposal has plenty of critics, including the city club panel. On Tuesday, though, we asked readers to share their opinions about the measure and the status quo. Here’s what they had to say, as of about 1:30 Wednesday afternoon:

About 56 percent (131 votes) said they’d vote for the measure.

About 28 percent (65 votes) said they’d prefer to give City Council a chance to restructure water and sewer utilities.

The remainder, about 16 percent, said things are working just fine and no changes are necessary.

The usual caveats apply. This is far from a scientific poll, and, in fact, is likely to include votes from a lot of people who don’t live in Portland and won’t be voting on the utility district measure anyway. For what it’s worth, though, it does suggest that city officials and others who oppose the measure should be concerned.

If you haven’t taken the poll yet or read our editorial on Monday’s court opinion, you can find them here.